Getting to Courchevel is easy by air, road or rail. The resort offers a huge range of UK tour operator-run properties with flights and transfers included from a range of UK airports, making planning their next skiing trip a walk in the park for UK tourists.
Unless you have booked a package where travel is organised for you then you will want to think about the best way for you to get to resort.
Fly
Visitors planning their flights separately can choose to arrive into Chambery, which has a 2 hour transfer time. Alternatively you can land in Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble airports, which all have a transfer time of 2-3 hours.
The most common route is to fly. There are four local airports to Courchevel:
• Geneva – 149km – 3 hours
• Lyon – 187km – 3 hours
• Chambery – 110km – 2 hours
• Grenoble – 174km – 2 hours
Transfers from the airport
There are several transfer companies who offer shared and private transfers from the airport into resort. It is worth checking transfer arrangements before booking flights especially if you are looking for a shared transfer as these are less regular and you don’t want to be waiting around for hours at the airport.
Alps2Alps provide private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon.
Alti Bus provides shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery and Lyon.
Bens Bus provides low cost shared transfers from Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon.
Cool Bus provides private transfers from Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery and Lyon.
Europe Transfer provides private and shared airport transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery.
Ski Lifts have been awarded the world’s best ski transfer operator in the world ski awards. They provide private and shared transfers from Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery.
Snowbus provides shared transfers from Geneva on Saturdays and Sundays and private transfer from Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery and Lyon every day.
3VT provides private transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble.
Train
The snow train is a popular option for Brits heading out to resort. The Eurostar runs directly from London St Pancras and Ashford in Kent to Moutiers and taking approximately 8 hours. The train runs every Saturday between December and April, and night trains on Fridays from January to April. The train is a good option if you have a lot of luggage as its generous allowance means you can take your skis and snowboard as well as two suitcases at no extra charge. Moutier is approximately 25km away from Courchevel.
Moutiers train station sits within only about 30 minutes’ drive from Courchevel. The train offers a wonderfully hassle-free method of getting to Courchevel and with clever timing you can even fit in an extra day’s skiing, before travelling home on the night train.
Drive
If you are planning on driving to resort, you can either travel via the channel tunnel or take the ferry. The euro tunnel runs approximately every 15 minutes from Folkestone and takes 35 minutes. Prices start from £90 each way. You can book your crossing online at - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/.
Once across the Channel it only takes around 10 hours to drive to the resort by motorway. Many people head first to Reims to avoid the Paris traffic, then down to Dijon and onto Geneva.
Ferry
The ferry runs from both Dover to Calais and Hull to Zeebrugge. The Dover ferry operates up to 23 times a day and takes 90 minutes, and the Hull services operates overnight arricing in Seebrugge at 0845am.
On arrival in France (or Belgium if you are taking the ferry to Zeebrugge!) remember to drive on the right hand side of the road. It is important to note that there are several tolls on route down to the Alps, the prices depend on which section of road you use but the total cost will be approximately €75 in total.
European travel/vehicle requirements are very strict and on-spot fines can be issued if you don’t have: headlight converters, GB sticker, warning triangle, spare bulbs, high viz vests for each passenger in the car and breathalysers.
In certain weather conditions, the roads may become snowy and icy and although local municipalities are very good and keeping the roads clear, it can be dangerous so it is important to take extra care and attention when driving. It is a legal requirement in France to carry snow chains in your vehicle or police will refuse you access to certain roads. When driving in these conditions, slow down when you encounter any snow, use high gears to avoid wheel spin, and keep moving when driving up an incline on snow.